The exponential growth of e-commerce, driven in part by the pandemic and new consumer habits, has highlighted the need to rethink the current model of urban freight distribution (UFD). The more online shopping is generated, the more home delivery is required with its implications in terms of operating costs, traffic, parking, and pollution. Urban logistics, and in particular the last mile, have become one of the main focuses of attention for public administrations and logistics operators in order to minimize these externalities. However, there is still a long way to go to optimize the new logistics processes to the requirements of the new distribution channel. Administrations need to start taking action with the help of logistics operators and citizens. These actions must be carried out quickly and in a consensual manner with all the parties involved, as only then will it be possible to define a sustainable urban logistics model that has continuity over time.

The objective of this article is to analyze the evolution of logistics in three different contexts: past, present and future. By looking at where the concept of logistics began and the point it has now reached, we can understand and better anticipate the trends and logistical challenges of the future. We live in an era where digitalization is increasing rapidly, which enables us to obtain more data, more transparency, a greater capacity for anticipating change and a greater automatization of processes. In addition, the health crisis of COVID-19 has only accelerated the use of electronic devices and online tools, as shown by the increasing figures in e-commerce over the last two years. However, the pandemic has also shone a spotlight on the need to rethink the current logistical model. Aspects such as globalization, sustainability, resilience or security throughout the supply chain are in question. In this changing context, the skills and competencies of logistics professionals will undoubtedly decide future success.

In recent years, technological solutions of varying degrees of complexity have emerged that have driven the evolution of logistics and supply chain, and which enable concordance between the requirements and limitations faced by customers in the eCommerce shopping process.

Advances in certain technologies in other sectors has enabled them to be incorporated into logistics and the supply chain, not only adding value for the customer through the customization of the products and services on offer, but also having an impact on suppliers and other actors that form part of the chain, enabling them to achieve enhanced responsiveness in terms of stock planning, management and transportation.

In the future, the adoption of these new technologies will require a process of specialization at the expense of the purely operational role that has characterized the logistics sector to date, as well as requiring new standards and regulatory bodies to be generated that enable their integration and development.

eCommerce platforms are becoming increasing significant players in the global economy, modifying shopping and consumption habits, and having a decisive impact on the market in terms of distribution, manufacture and the provision of logistics services.

The consolidation and improvement of eCommerce is underpinned by guaranteeing excellence throughout the user experience, from the shopping process right through to the final delivery of the product or service requested. In this respect, logistics is a key factor.

Amazon’s penetration in households has strongly shaken up the scene in terms of the competition. It has forced large retailers (and manufacturers) to provide a response that fulfils shoppers’ new service expectations, triggering a gruelling race to take control of the value chain and the customer experience.

In this article, the authors analyse the current panorama, the repercussions for the supply chain and the trends emerging in terms of eCommerce platform, identifying areas of opportunity generated by increasingly demanding customer expectations.